Adoption Preparation Supervisor

DePelchin Children’s Center•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Adoption Preparation Supervisor leads and supports a team of Adoption Preparation Specialists dedicated to helping children who are legally free for adoption achieve safe, stable, and nurturing permanent homes. The Supervisor provides leadership, coaching, and case consultation to ensure children are prepared for adoption, including addressing separation, loss, attachment, and other needs that may affect successful permanency. Using a hope-centered, strengths-based approach, the Supervisor guides staff in building relationships with children, families, caregivers, and partners; identifying and pursuing appropriate adoptive placements; and addressing barriers to permanency. The position fosters accountability, learning, collaboration, and compassion while ensuring services follow agency policies, state requirements, and child welfare best practices. In collaboration with families, caregivers, legal partners, and community stakeholders, the Supervisor advances permanency outcomes that support each child's belonging, stability, well-being, and opportunity to thrive. The role is based in office and community settings, including client homes, schools, courts, and provider facilities. Regular travel across Harris County and the 12-county service region is required, as is reliable transportation. The normal schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with occasional evening, weekend, and after-hours duties and a rotating on-call schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the education requirement.
Minimum of three years of experience in Child Protective Services or child placement services in a public social services agency.
Strong knowledge of conservatorship practice, permanency planning, and adoption preparation procedures, including policies for identifying prospective families, reviewing home studies, and matching children with adoptive families.
Knowledge of child development, trauma-informed practice, family systems, and youth engagement.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Skill in analyzing complex situations and making sound decisions that support child safety and permanency.
Skill in mentoring, coaching, and inspiring staff toward excellence.
Proficiency in using technology and case management systems.
Ability to recognize and build upon the strengths of children, families, caregivers, and staff.
Ability to establish meaningful partnerships and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to travel and attend child and family meetings, visits, and other work-related events, including during evening hours as needed.
Ability to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and work irregular hours as required.
Ability to work effectively in emotionally demanding environments while demonstrating resilience, professionalism, and hope.
Reliable transportation is required.

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and support a unit of Adoption Preparation caseworkers and clerical staff in achieving positive permanency outcomes for children and youth.
Provide ongoing coaching and performance support through regular supervision, case consultation, field observations, performance evaluations, and professional development.
Foster a supportive and collaborative team environment that promotes resilience, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Guide and oversee staff in developing individualized permanency plans that recognize each child's strengths, needs, relationships, and aspirations.
Provide case consultation and supervisory guidance to support timely, well-informed decisions that promote child safety, stability, family connections, and lifelong support systems.
Guide staff in recruiting, identifying, and matching children with prospective adoptive families and providing services to children in adoptive placement.
Monitor caseloads and service delivery to ensure children and families receive quality services that promote hope, healing, and successful permanency outcomes.
Analyze and respond appropriately to crisis or emergency requests requiring an expedited response.
Review and monitor casework practices, performance data, and documentation for compliance with agency policy, legal and regulatory requirements, and professional standards.
Provide supervisory consultation and guidance on complex cases, helping staff assess risk, resolve barriers, and make sound judgments that balance child safety, well-being, family connections, and permanency goals.
Ensure services are delivered with integrity, accountability, and commitment to meaningful outcomes for children and families.
Build and maintain collaborative relationships with children, youth, parents, caregivers, legal partners, schools, medical providers, CASA volunteers, and community organizations.
Communicate timely and effectively with stakeholders to promote understanding, trust, and shared commitment to permanency and child well-being.
Serve as a subject-matter resource and advocate for effective adoption policies and practices that strengthen outcomes for children and families.